Said On the Street: Indonesian Hopes for President-Elect

Indonesia’s presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gestures to supporters a day after he was named winner in the presidential election in Taman Proklamasi, Jakarta on July 23.

Reuters

Joko Widodo and his running mate Jusuf Kalla have won the presidential election based on official vote tallies. The team of rival Prabowo Subianto says he plans to challenge the result in court. If that challenge fails, as seems likely, Mr. Widodo will be inaugurated and take office in October, when current President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s term ends.

Voters have already expressed their eagerness to welcome a new president and administration, but as the election process alone has shown, governing developing island country of 250 million people comes with a host of challenges. The Wall Street Journal asked people around Jakarta what they thought of Jokowi as president and what obstacles they believed he would face over the next five years in the country’s top seat.

Daud Mutakin.

I Made Sentana/The Wall Street Journal

Daud Mutakin
42, Cooking oil, bottled-sauce seller

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What do you think of Jokowi as president?
“I can’t give my opinion on him because he hasn’t started his job yet.” [Mr. Mutakin said he didn't vote earlier this month because he wasn’t registered near his village].

What are your hopes for his presidency?
“I hope there will be good improvements, the economy will improve, and the government will put small people first.”

What are the challenges facing Jokowi?
“Personally, Jokowi is a good person, but he will be alone in the government. There will be people who may not be as honest as him. The parliament may also be a stumbling block for him.”

Jajang Supriatna.

I Made Sentana/The Wall Street Journal

Jajang Supriatna
35, Street musician

What do you think of Jokowi as president?
“Thank God he wins. It means my vote was not wasted. I was one of the beneficiaries of the Kartu Sehat” [a medical card implemented by Mr. Widodo that entitles Jakarta residents to discounted health care and free medication].

What are your hopes for his presidency?
“I hope the [kartu sehat program] will be applied nationwide. I hope there will be no street buskers, no more beggars.”

What are the challenges facing Jokowi?
“I see the challenges for Jokowi are quite big. He tried hard to address the traffic jams in Jakarta, but has not yet been successful. Now he has to take care of the whole country. [As] president, his job will be a lot more difficult. He must work with other people, with other political parties in order to build the country. But cooperation with other people and parties has its own risks. For example, what if the people he works with turn out to be dirty. That’s the very problem riddling the past and current governments.”

Iin Triani.

Anita Rachman/The Wall Street Journal

Iin Triani
34, Housewife

What do you think of Jokowi as president?
“I’m happy, because he is down to earth, and willing to do blusukan [impromptu visits].”

What are your hopes for his presidency?
“For him to keep his promises — free education, and healthcare.”

What are the challenges facing Jokowi?
“I am not really sure, Insya Allah [God willing] he can do it. The question now is whether his administration would be as good.”

Yanto.

I Made Sentana/The Wall Street Journal

Yanto
45, Motorcycle taxi driver

What do you think of Jokowi as president?
“For me, the most important thing stable food prices. I don’t really care who the president is.”

What are your hopes for his presidency?
“I hope he won’t raise fuel prices too soon, because it will hurt my business as fuel is an important part of my work.”

What are the challenges facing Jokowi?
“I’m not sure if Jokowi will be able to keep the prices of basic necessities stable and affordable. But, he may be able to do it. He has to try it first, that’s the most important thing I think.”

Ade Sogir.

Anastasia Wulandari/The Wall Street Journal

Ade Sogir
35, Textile seller at Tanah Abang market

What do you think of Jokowi as president?
“I am very happy, Pak Jokowi has helped us. Pak Jokowi defends the people.”

What are your hopes for his presidency?
“Pak Jokowi, don’t leave us merchants. Please organize street vendors, so that potential buyers care to visit our stores. I hope our country will be prosperous. I hope he will always be just.”

What are the challenges facing Jokowi?
“Pak Jokowi is exceptional. He always gets [things] under control. Problems are still abundant, but I hope that he can resolve them.”

Soegeng Roespa Moedji.

Sara Schonhardt/The Wall Street Journal

Soegeng Roespa Moedji
49, Elementary school teacher

What do you think of Jokowi as president?
“I am very proud. I am grateful that Jokowi has become president because as president Joko Widodo has the mandate of the people of Indonesia.”

What are your hopes for his presidency?
“I hope that Indonesia becomes better, as the people will get a president who is one of us.”

What are the challenges facing Jokowi?
“The law is still a work in progress, there is still corruption.”

About Southeast Asia Real Time

Indonesia Real Time provides analysis and insight into the region, which includes Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei. Contact the editors at SEAsia@wsj.com.

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